Sideswipe: Popular guy

Local government efficiency in Havelock North. One sign would suffice!

Ovary funny, I should have known

In a study of 219 women undergoing IVF published in Fertility and Sterility, Israeli doctors found that the odds of success were greater among women who were entertained by a professional "medical clown". The researchers found that, compared to women who came to the clinic on a "non-clown" day, those who'd had a laugh were more than twice as likely to become pregnant. (Source: Guardian.co.uk)

Heat not wasted

A council has announced plans to heat a swimming pool using energy created from a nearby crematorium. Redditch Council had planned to use heat generated by Redditch Crematorium to take the edge off the Abbey Stadium pool and sports centre, saving it around £14,500 ($30,300) a year and cutting CO2 emissions. Apparently some locals are not comfortable with the idea. (Source: Newslite.tv)

Law has final say

IDing our World Cup visitors: Many readers said it is a matter of law. The Sale of Liquor Act says a passport (any country), a New Zealand photo driver licence, or a Hospitality Association 18+ Card are the only acceptable forms of ID when buying alcohol. "It is unreasonable to expect supermarket operators to be able to tell the difference between a fake and a real drivers licence from a foreign country," says a reader. But another says; "Maybe training to help staff recognise who looks 17 ... is a good idea. I don't imagine taking your passport on a night out on the tiles will be the done thing ..."

Look out! Pedestrian crossing!

Jane agrees with Matt about pedestrian behaviour. "The ones that scare me are those who suddenly step out on to a crossing without hesitating or looking. If I hit them I am in trouble! Cars, bikes and trucks cannot stop instantly."

Driver with 'attitude'

"It seems to me Matt Sidford is the one with the 'attitude' problem," writes Joe Woollaston. "He should use his brakes a bit, and stop being a bully. Also, not everyone is capable of breaking into a run, just for his convenience."

A widespread problem

Jon Boyer writes: "Has anyone else noticed an increase in motorists' 'attitude' in Auckland? I've nearly been run over by several people who refuse to brake when I've been on crossings. Obviously it's 'cooler' to run over someone than to be seen to slow down even fractionally. The latest idiot swore at me for having the audacity to cross the road."